Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 685,259. Patented Oct. 29. l90l. G. H.- 000K.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed July 12, 1900.)

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GILES H. COOK, OF DES MOINES, IOWA.

ACET'YLENE-GA'S GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 685,259, dated October29, 1901.

Application filed July 12, 1900.

. new and useful Improvements in Acetylene- Gas Generators forLocomotive-Headlighting, Automobiles, and Naval Search-Lights, of whichthe following is a'specification. The object of this invention is toprovide improved means for generating gas from carbid for use inlocomotive-headlighting, for automobiles, naval search-lights, and otherpurposes of illumination. I

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combinationof elements hereinafter set forth, pointed outin my claims,

I and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which,

Figure 1 is a perspective showing the device mounted as required forpractical use. Fig. 2 is a perspective of the device mounted as requiredfor practical use, the shield or guard being removed and a portion ofthedevice broken away or in section to reveal the construction thereof.Fig. 3 is a plan of the device. Fig. at is a detail vertical section ofone of the cylinders. Fig. 5 is a detail verti cal section of agas-pipe, showing the checkvalve therein and means for holding saidvalve open. Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section of a pop-valve employedin the device;

In the construction of the device as shown the numeral 10 designates asupporting-frame formed with a foot or base arranged for at tachment toa locomotiveboiler or other suit-' able means of support. A cylinder '11is mounted in a vertical position parallel with one edge. of the frame10 and is secured there: to by studs 12, one only of which is shown,traversing the adjacent edge of the frame and seated in the side of thecylinder. A cylinder 13 of approximately the. same size as the cylinder11 is mounted parallel with the edge of the frame 10 opposite to thefirst cylinder and is secured in vertical position parallel with andspaced apart from the first cylinder by means of studs 14-, one only ofwhich is shown,- traversing the edge portion of the frame and seated inthe side of said cylinder 13. Justiiied by the inherent constructions ofthe cyls iu a. 23,416. (No model.)

inders, that hereinafter will become apparent in the furtherconsideration of-the structure, the cylinder 11 will be denominated theairtight cylinder and the cylinder 13 will be referred to as open oropen to atmospheric pressure. The air-tight cylinder 11 is formed withan imperforate side and a concavo-convex bottom 11, rigidly mounted onthe lower end thereof, with its con vex face downwardly. The centralportion of the bottom 11 is depressed or oifset downwardly a materialand considerable distance and forms a trap-chamber 15 in a horizontalplane entirely below the bottom of the cylinder. An aperture is formedin'the center of the bottom of the depressed portion or trap-chamber 15,and a water-pipe 16 is mounted therein and communicates with thecylinder therethrough. The pipe 16 extends downwardly from thetrapchamber 15, is bent and extends horizontally across the face of theframe 10, and

the essential characteristicsof a com municating pipe'having its initialend below the bottomof the air-tight cylinder and its terminal Within orcommunicating with the interior of the open cylinder. In Fig. 41 haveillustrated a valve-chamber 17 in the central portion of thepipe 16 andformed with a drainage-port 18 leading downwardly therefrom.

A three-way valve 19 is mounted in the valvechamber 17 and is so shapedand arranged in a common manner as to control the flow of fluids throughsaid valve-chamber and gov: cm the communication through the pipe 16 andto the drainage-port 18. A crank or handle 20 is mounted on theoutwardly-projectingportion'of the valve-plug 19, and the parts arerelatively so'arranged that when the said handle is in a horizontalposition, extending to the right and outwardly from the valve-plug,communication through the valve-chamber in the trend of the pipe 16 isestablished and the port 18 is cut ofi. A supply orfeeding port isformed in the top of the open cylinder 13 and closed bya cap 21.

The cylinder 13 may be supplied with water through the feeding or supplyport to the desired degree, and said water will flow through the pipe16, valve chamber 17, and trapchamber 15 into the cylinder 11 and fillsaid cylinder 11 to the desired level. It is the function of the pipe 16to establish and maintain a communication whereby the water may flowfreely back and forth from cylinder to cylinder during the operation ofthe machine in generating gas, furnishing water to the carbid-holderwhen needed, and permitting recession of the water from the cylinder 11under pressure of gas therein. A pipe 22 communicates with and leadsfrom the top of the cylinder 13 and is open to the atmosphere at somepoint distant from the cylinder. It is the function of the pipe 22 toprovide a vent for the cylinder 13 and supply said cylinder withatmospheric pressure. The cylinder 13 might be left open within thelocomotive-cab or any other inclosure where the machine is employed; butunder some circumstances the water therein would become tainted with theodors of the carbid and acetylene gas and give off unpleasant andperhaps injurious eflluvia. Hence I have provided the pipe 22, that maybe extended outside the inclosure or locomotive-cab to a point where thedischarge of tainted odors therefrom would have no perceptible influenceor effect.

A cap-plate or cover 23 is mounted rigidly on and closes the top of thecylinder 11 and is formed with an aperture 24 in its central portion forthe reception of a service-pipe 25. A safety-pipe 27 is mounted in andextends through the top 23 of the cylinder 11, and the initial end ofsaid safety-pipe is open and located adjacent to the upper surface ofthe bottom 11 of said cylinder, Fig. 2. Above the cover or cap-plate 23of the cylinder 11 the safety-pipe 27 may extend any desired distance tothe exterior of the locomotive-cab or other inclosurc within which themachine is used, and a safety-valve 28 is mounted on and normally closesthe terminal of said pipe. The safety-valve should be so adjusted orweighted as to apply the desired resistance to the escape of gas orwater from the terminal of the safety-pipe. It is the function of thesafety-pipe to provide for the discharge of a surplus of water from thecylinder 11 in the event that communication between the cylinders 11 and13 should accidentally or through some unforeseen circumstance orcondition be interfered with or stopped to the end that generation ofgas may not continue beyond that degree necessary to supply the desiredquan tity for consumption at the burners. A gas safety-pipe 29 ismounted in and communicates through the cap-plate or top 23 of thecylinder 11 and may lead to and communicate with the atmosphere at anydesired place outside the locomotive-cab or other inclosure within whichthe machine is used. The gas safety-pipe 29 is provided with avalve-chamber 30, and a pop-valve is mounted therein.

The pop-valve in the chamber 30 is shown in detail in Fig. 6. Avalve-seat 31 is formed in the lower portion of the chamber, and avalve-plug 32 rests thereon and is centered by a valve-stem 33, risingfrom the plug and extending loosely through a cross-bar 34. Thecross-bar 34 is mounted adjustably on studs 35 36 within the chamber,and an expansive coil-spring 37 is mounted on the valve-stem and isconfined between the cross-bar and the upper face of the valve-plug. Itis the function of the coil-spring 37 to hold the valveplug 32 to theseat 31 by yielding pressure that may be overcome by the pressure of gaswithin the cylinder 11 at a predetermined degree.

Gage-glasses 38 39 are mounted on and communicate with the cylinders 1113, respectively, by means of which glasses the level of the Water ineither cylinder may readily be determined.

Arms 40 41 are formed on and extend laterally in converging planes fromthe lower portion of the frame 10, and a hub or boss 42 is formed on andconnects the extremities of said arms. A vertical screw-seat is formedin the central portion of the hub 42, and a hand-screw 43 is mountedtherein; A generator-cover 44 is located in a horizontal plane slightlybelow the bottoms of the cylinders 11 13 and is attached to saidcylinders by arms 45 46, formed on said cover and secured to thecylinders by studs 47 48. A hanger 49 is pivoted on and depends from thegeneratoroover 44, and a generator or carbid-holder 50 is formed with alug 51, projecting radially from its upper end portion and so shaped andarranged as to enter a slot in the lower portion of said hangen Thescrew 43 engages the center of the bottom of the generator orcarbid-holder 50 and lifts said holder into sealed contact with thebottom of the generator-cover 44. A gasket should be interposed betweenthe upper edge of the generator or carbid-holder and the lower face ofthe cover 44 to the end that when said holder is set tightly andforcibly against the cover by means of the screw 43 the jointtherebetween will be rendered air and gas tight. It is the function ofthe screw 43 to hold the carbid holderin close relation to the cover 44.A pipe 52, having a frustum-shaped bore, is mounted with its larger endextending through the side of the cylinder 11, near the upper surface ofthe bottom thereof, and communicating with the interior of saidcylinder. The bore of the pipe 52 is frustum-shaped in order that watersplashed therein may readily run back into the cylinder 11. Aneedle-valve 53 is mounted in and extends outwardly from the outerportion of said pipe 52 and governs and controls the extremity of thebore of said pipe. A feed-pipe 54 communicates with the outer endportion of the bore of the pipe 52 and leads therefrom downwardlythrough the center of the generator-cover 44. The communication betweenthe bore of the pipe pending from the cover 44. The deflector 55 isconcavo-convex in general contour and is positioned with its convex faceupwardly and its apex immediately below and in alinement with the lowerend or terminal of the bore of the pipe 54. The deflector 55 is formedwith an aperture 56 in its center in alinement with the bore of the pipe54 and also is formed with corrugations,flutin gs, or alternate ridgesor grooves leading radially and downwardly from said central aperture tothe perimeter of the deflector. Some of the corrugations are of lesslength than others and are arranged alternately therewith, thusproviding that the deflector presents a serrated or deeply-notchedperimeter or margin. It is the function of the deflector 55 to receivethe water drop by drop or in a small stream from the pipe 54 anddistribute said water over the carbid contained in the lower portion ofthe vessel or holder 50. When water is entering the carbid-holder inminute drops and the locomotive on which the device is mounted isstationary, said water or the major portion thereof will drop throughthe aperture 56 directly in the center of the carbid. When water isentering in greater quantity or the locomotive is in, motion, said waterwill be distributed by the corrugations to different parts of the bodyof carbid, to the end that said carbid will be sprinkled and dampened inits entirety, thus providing for the utilization of all thegas-generating properties of the carbid substance. The flow of water maybe regulated as required for the production of gas by adjustment of theneedle-valve 53.

A gas-pipe 57 is mounted in and extends through the cover 44 at itslower end, and the upper end of said pipe extends through and opensbelow the cap-plate or cover 23 of the cylinder 11. It is the functionof the pipe 57 to lead the gas generated in the carbid-holder 50 intothe cylinder 11, from which cylinder it may be drawn as desired for theburners. A valve-chamber 58 is formed in the lower portion of thegas-pipe 57, and a check-valve is mounted therein. Portions'of the pipe57 and the chamber 58 are shown in detail in Fig. 5, wherein thecheck-valve 59 is shown seated in the chamber and formed with an angularstem 60, extending vertically therefrom and into the pipe 57 to serve asa guide and prevent upsetting of the valve. A short stem 61 is formed onand extends downwardly from the check-valve 59 within the lower portionof the gas-pipe 57. A crank-shaft 62 is mounted for rotary movement inand across the lower portion of the gas-pipe 57, and an eccentric 63 isfixed to said crank-shaft Within the pipe below and in verticalalinement with the short stem. The check-valve is employed to relievethe carbid-holder of back pressure from the cylinder 11 and prevent theescape of gas from the upper portion of the pipe 57 and cylinder whenthe carbid-holder is removed for any purpose. In the ordinary use of thecheck-valve the gas escaping from the carbid-holder would encounter aresistance equal to the weight of the valve and any friction thereofagainst the pipe or valve-chamber, and to obviate the disadvantage ofsuch resistance I have provided the crank-shaft and eccentric soarranged as to be manipulated to cause the eccentric to engage the shortstem 61 and lift the valve from its seat,

thus providing a free course or passage-way for the gas through thevalve-chamber andpipe. The eccentric should be positioned to lift thevalve by turning the crank of the crank-shaft upward into engagementwith the periphery of the valve-chamber, the crank springing slightlywhen forced into position and impinging the surface of the valve-chambersufficiently to hold it in the desired place. When the carbid-holder isremoved for any purpose or is not in operation, the crankshaft should bepositioned, as shown in Figs 1. 2, and 5, to relieve the carbid-holderof back pressure from the pipe 57 and cylinder 11.

r The three-way valve 19 may be omitted and the pipe 15 fitted with acheck-valve, such as that illustrated in Fig. 5, preferably located inthe vertical portion of the pipe immediately below the bottom of theopen cylinder 13.

In the use of a machine of this character for locomotive headlightingthe water in the cylinder is subjected to violent and turbulent motionby reason of the swaying, jolting, and vibrating of the locomotive inrounding curves, traveling upon uneven tracks, and traveling at a highrate of speed. On account of the turbulent motion of the water and thevibration of the machine and locomotive on which it is carried more orless of any water contained in the air-tight cylinder 11 will be thrown,splashed, or otherwise conveyed into the pipe 52 and will find its. wayfrom said pipe to the carbid and lend its influence to the generation ofgas, even at times and un- 'der circumstances when it is notdesired'that open :cylinder 13 and thence to the atmosphere. I haveshown the pipe 16leading' downwardly and laterally from the trap-chamber15,; but it is probable that the same fun'ction might be performedthrough the use of the trap-chamber with an imperforate bottom and acommunicating pipe having its initial end open within the trap-chamber,its terminal discharging into the cylinder 13, and its body portionleading upwardly from the trapchamber and laterally from the cylinder 11or leading directly laterally from the trapchamber, either of whichconstructions and others of an analogous and equivalent nature beingwithin the scope of my invention.

I have provided three shelves or horizontal partitions 64, 65, and 66,mounted and spaced apart within the cylinder 11, the lowermost of saidpartitions being above the center of the cylinder. These partitions maybe mounted in any desired way, and I have illustrated them as supportedby brackets or angleirons 67, fixed by studs or screws to the wall ofthe cylinder. These partitions should be provided with perforations 68or apertures having a combined superficial area at least equal to thecombined superficial area of the apertures in the top or cap plate 23 ofthe cylinder in which they are used. The perforations or apertures ofthe partitions 64, 65, and 66 are arranged out of alinement with eachother, and it is the function of the partitions to limit and reduce thesplashing of water within the cylinder and avoid in so far as it ispossible to avoid the dashing of water into the pipes 29, 27, 25, and57, or either of them, and at the same time permit the free passage ofgas into and from the cylinder through passage-ways and courses providedtherefor.

As a measure of protection to the cylinders I have provided a shield,support, or guard 69, preferably made of sheet metal and bent and shapedto surround the lower portions of the cylinder and extend downwardlytherefrom approximately to the surface of the boiler on which the deviceis used. A wing or blade 69 rises from the central portion of the guardor shield 69, between the cylinders 11 and 13, and extends nearly to thetop thereof approximately parallel with the frame 10, and the upper endof said wing or blade is secured by studs to the cap-plates or covers ofthe cylinders. The central portion of the guard or shield 69 and thewing or blade 69 thereof, acting in conjunction with the frame 10,provide a space or chamber between the cylinders through which heat mayrise from the boiler and tend to keep the cylinders and contents thereofat a degree of temperature above the freezing-point. To aid inmaintaining the desired temperature of the cylinders and their contents,I have extended a bu rner-pipe 70 from the service-pipe 25 downwardbetween the cylinders and the bottom thereof and mounted a gas burner onthe lower end of said pipe. Immediately above the gas-burner and betweenthe cylinders I have located a perforated deflecting-plate '71, arrangedto receive and impede the escape of the heat generated by the burning ofgas at the burner. The use of a small amount of gas at the burnerbeneath the deflector 71 will be sufficient to heat the air within thechamber in which said burner is located to the degree necessary tomaintain a proper tempera ture of the cylinders and theircontents. Thisarrangement of a gas-burner for the heating of the cylinders and thecontents thereof is very desirable, since it sometimes occurs that thelocomotive becomes dead out on the main line by reason of accident tosome part of the machinery or the presence of snow drifts, rendering itnecessary to draw the water from the-boiler and permit the escape of theace cumulated steam. The headlight should be kept burning to warn thecrew of an approaching train on ordinary duty or a rescuing party of theproximity of the dead 10- comotive, and to keep the headlight burning itis necessary to generate gas through the medium of the water supplied tothe carbidholder. Hence arises the desirability of a means forpreventing the freeZing of the water in the cylinders. For ordinarypurposes when the engine is alive-that is to say, has its boilersupplied with the ordinary amount of steam--the cylinders may be kept atthe proper degree of temperature by steam introduced to the cylinder 13through the pipe 72, entering said cylinder and communicating with theboiler at any desired point. (Not shown.) The pipe 72 maybe connectedwith the branch pipe of the injector and employed to fill the cylinder13 if so desired.

The crank or handle 20 of the valve-plug 19 must of necessity be in theposition shown in the drawings when the carbid-holder is in place foroperation. I have thus provided said crank or handle to insure thatcommunication between the cylinders 11 and 13 shall be established andnot cut oflf at all times when the carbid-holder is in position for use.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of the air-tight cylinder,the perforated partitions therein and transversely thereof, whichpartitions occupy approximately parallel horizontal planes, acarbid-holder, water communication leading from the cylinder below thelowermost partition and opening to the carbid-holder, gas communicationbetween the carbid-holder and the cylinder above the uppermostpartition, service and safety pipes leading from said cylinder above theuppermost partition and an open cylinder and water communication betweensaid cylinders.

2. The frame 10 suitably mounted, the cylinders arranged parallel witheach other and fixed to said frame, the carbid-holder communicating withone of said cylinders, the gas and water pipes and the shield or guardsurrounding the lower portions of the cylinders and provided with amember extending upwardly between the cylinders opposite to the frame,whereby a chamber is formed between the cylinders, and a gas-burnersupplied by one of the cylinders and located within said chamber.

3. In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of the matingcylinders, one air-tight and the other open to atmospheric pressure,

water communication between the bottoms of said cylinders, whichcommunication is valvularly controlled, the generator arranged toreceive Water from one of the cylinders and supply gas to said cylinder,the service-pipe, the safety-pipe leading from the air-tight cylinder inand extending to near the bottom of the air-tight cylinder and providedwith a safety-valve and the gas safety-pipe in the air-tight cylinderand provided with apopvalve.

4. The combination of the cylinders, one air-tight and the other open toatmospheric pressure, water communication between the bottoms of saidcylinders, which water communication is valvularly controlled, thegenerator arranged to receive water from the airtight cylinder andsupply gas thereto, the service-pipe, and the safety-pipe in andextending to near the bottom of the air-tight cylinder and provided witha safety-valve.

5.- In an acetylene-gas generator, the combination of the matingcylinders, one air-tight and the other open to atmospheric pressure, thetrap in one of the cylinders, the waterpipe leading from said trap tothe other cylinder and valvularly controlled, the carbidholder, thewater-supply pipe leading from a cylinder, in a plane above the trap, tothe carbid-holder, partitions transversely of the upper portion of theair-tight cylinder and formed with unalined perforations, the framesupporting the cylinders and the gas-pipes therefor.

6. The frame formed of a single plate with a curved foot or basearranged for attachment to a locomotive-boiler, the arms extend inglaterally from said frame above the curved foot, the hub formed on andconnecting the extremities of said arms, the screw vertically seated inand extending through said hub, the cylinders fixed to said frame, thegenerator-cover fixed to said cylinders, the hanger on thegenerator-cover and formed with a vertical slot in its dependingportion, the generator and the lug projecting radially from the upperportion of said generator and arranged to enter'said vertical slot ofthe hanger, the generator being arranged to rest upon and be lifted bythe screw into sealed contact with said cover.

7. The combination of the air-tight cylinder, the carbid-holder, thefrustum-shaped pipe communicating withthe air-tight cylinder at itslarger end and extending horizontally outward therefrom, and arranged toconvey water, the bore of said pipe being frustum-shaped, whereby watermay flow back from the pipe to the cylinder, the needlevalve controllingthe communication through the bore of said pipe, the pipe leading fromthe outer end of the first pipe to the carbidholder and the gas-pipeaffording communication between said carbid-holder and airtightcylinder.

8. In an acetylene-gas generator, the comgeneral formation, corrugatedradially and provided with an aperture in its apex in alinement with thwater-pipe.

10. The combination of the carbid-holder, the water-pipe leading intothe top thereof,

the concavo-convex deflector located with its convex face upwardly andits apex in alinement with the water-pipe, which deflector is formedwith a central aperture and corrugations radiating from said aperture,which corrugations are of unequal length and arranged alternately.

11. The combination of the air-tight cylinder and pipe 52 formed with afrustum-shaped bore, communicating with said cylinder at its larger end,the pipe 54 leading laterally from the pipe 52 to a carbid-holder andformed with a tapering bore smaller at its outer end and theneedle-valve controlling communication between the bore of the pipe 52and the initial end of the bore of the pipe 54.

12. In an acetylene-gas generator, two mating cylinders, one anair-tight cylinder, the other an open cylinder, the bottoms of whichcylinders are in approximately the same plane, the trap between thecylinders and leading from the bottoms thereof downwardly, incombination with a carbid vessel and connecting and service pipestherefor, said trap being provided with a drain and valve mechanism toestablish communication between the cylinders and cut off the drain, orto establish communication between either orboth of the cylinders andthe drain.

13. An acetylene-gas generator, especially adapted to locomotiveheadlighting, com prising two cylinders, one air-tight and the otheropen to atmospheric pressure, a carbid vessel, a pipe connecting theair-tight cylinder near its bottom to the carbid vessel, which pipe mayadmit water from the airtight cylinder to the carbid vessel, a valve insaid pipe, a communicating pipe connecting the bottom ends of thecylinders and arranged to convey water to and fro between the cylindersand also to serve as a trap to prevent the escape of gas from theair-tight cylinder to the open cylinder, a gas-conveying pipe leadingfrom the carbid vessel into the top of the air-tight cylinder and acheckvalve in the gas-conveying pipe.

14. In an acetylene-gas generator, a cylin-' der open to atmosphericpressure, an airtight cylinder mating therewith,both of which cylindershave their bottoms in approximately the same plane, a water-trap formedin the bottom of the air-tight cylinder, a pipe communicating betweenthe trap of the airtight cylinder and the open cylinder, a carbid vessellocated wholly below the bottoms of said cylinders, water communicationbetween the air-tight cylinder and the carbid vessel, gas communicationbetween the carbid Vessel and air-tight cylinder and a service-pipeleading from the air-tight cylinder.

15. In an acetylene-gas generator, a cylinder open to atmosphericpressure, an airtight cylinder mating therewith, the bottoms of saidcylinders being in approximately the same plane, the bottom of saidair-tight cylinder being concavo-convex in shape, a water-trap formed inand centrally of said bot-- tom, a pipe communicating between the trapof the air-tight cylinder and the open cylinder, a carbid vessel locatedwholly below the bottoms of said cylinders, water communication betweenthe air-tight cylinder and the carbid vessel, gas communication betweenthe carbid vessel and the air-tight cylinder and a service-pipe leadingfrom the air-tight cylinder.

16. In an acetylene-gas generator, a cylinder open to atmosphericpressure, an airtight cylinder mating therewith, the bottoms of saidcylinders being in approximately the same plane, the bottom of saidair-tight cylinder being concavo-convex in shape, a water-trap formed inand centrally of said bottom,lthe bottom of said water-trap beingconcavo-convex in shape, a pipe leading from the center of the bottom ofsaid water-trap and communicating with said open cylinder, a carbidvessel located wholly below the bottoms of said cylinders, watercommunication between the air-tight cylinder and the carbid vessel, gascommunication between the carbid vessel and air-tight cylinder and aservice-pipe leading from the air-tight cylinder.

Signed by me at Des Moines, Iowa, this 26th day of February, 1900.

GILES II. COOK.

\Vitn esses:

S. 0. SWEET, HARRY MUFFLEY.

